Harvesting apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An improved self-propelled harvester. The self-propelled harvester passes through a field to be harvested, while laborers place produce on a conveyor belt thereon. The produce is passed through a washing station, where it is preferably exposed to sideward and downward spray. Thereafter, the produce is transported upward along an elevator belt assembly, toward a trailer. The elevator belt assembly preferably has a plurality of flights located on rods positioned between side belts. The rods are spaced sufficiently so that leaves, debris and excess water can readily pass therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods forharvesting produce and, more specifically, to a self-propelled harvesterthat allows the improved harvesting, washing, and loading of produce.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] In the harvesting of different types of produce (such as lettuce,tomatoes, bell peppers, and cantaloupes), it is desired to utilize aself-propelled conveyor belt. These travel through the field, with thelabor force working along the conveyor. The laborers will harvest theproduce, place it on the conveyor, and the conveyor will take it to atrailer that moves through the field in tandem with the harvester. Insome versions of a harvester of this type, a washing station of sometype can be provided, so that the produce is washed prior to be loadedinto the trailer.

[0005] Because the conveyor belt needs to be at a level that isconvenient for workers to reach when they place produce, and because thetop of the trailer bed is at a higher point, it is necessary to utilizean elevator belt to transport the harvest and washed produce from theconveyor belt to the trailer. Prior art elevator belts consist of fourinch high rubber flights that are bolted across a flat rubber belt at 12inch intervals. The flat belt has a plurality of holes therethrough, topermit excess water from the washing step to pass therethrough.

[0006] However, prior art elevator belts permit leaves and other debristhat is too large to pass through the holes to remain on the elevatorbelt and enter the trailer. This necessitates later removal andadditional washing of the produce. Moreover, with their relatively smallopenings, prior art belts can be difficult to clean, allowing bacteriato grow thereon and further reducing the cleanliness of the process.

[0007] A need therefore existed for an improved self-propelled harvesterhaving a conveyor belt, a washing station, and an elevator belt. Theelevator belt should have an improved ability to remove leaves and otherdebris. The elevator belt should be easier to clean than the prior artdesign, limiting bacterial growth. Still further, the improvedself-propelled harvester should provide for an efficient washingstation, to further improve the cleaning process.

[0008] The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other,related, advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedself-propelled harvester having a conveyor belt, a washing station, andan elevator belt.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved self-propelled harvester wherein the elevator belt has animproved ability to remove leaves and other debris.

[0011] It is a still further object of the present invention to providean improved self-propelled harvester wherein the elevator belt is easierto clean than the prior art design, limiting bacterial growth.

[0012] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide animproved self-propelled harvester having an efficient washing station,to further improve the cleaning process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, aself-propelled harvester is disclosed. The harvester comprises, incombination: a conveyor belt transported on a plurality of wheels; awashing station positioned over a portion of the conveyor belt; anelevator belt assembly proximate the washing station and adapted totransport produce from an exit point from the washing station in anupward direction to be loaded onto a trailer; wherein the elevator beltassembly comprises: two side belts; a plurality of rods extended betweenthe side belts; and a plurality of flights, wherein each the flight iscoupled to one the rod and wherein the number of the rods is greaterthan the number of the flights, so that some the rods do not have anythe flight coupled thereto.

[0014] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, aself-propelled harvester is disclosed. The harvester comprises, incombination: a conveyor belt transported on a plurality of wheels; awashing station positioned over a portion of the conveyor belt; whereinthe washing station comprises a plurality of spray nozzles oriented toexpose the produce passing therethrough to downward and sidewardprojecting spray; and an elevator belt assembly proximate the washingstation and adapted to transport produce from an exit point from thewashing station in an upward direction to be loaded onto a trailer.

[0015] In accordance with still another embodiment of the presentinvention, a method for harvesting is disclosed. The method comprises,in combination, the steps of: providing a self-propelled harvestercomprising, in combination: a conveyor belt transported on a pluralityof wheels; a washing station positioned over a portion of the conveyorbelt; an elevator belt assembly proximate the washing station andadapted to transport produce from an exit point from the washing stationin an upward direction to be loaded onto a trailer; wherein the elevatorbelt assembly comprises: two side belts; a plurality of rods extendedbetween the side belts; and a plurality of flights, wherein each theflight is coupled to one the rod and wherein the number of the rods isgreater than the number of the flights, so that some the rods do nothave any the flight coupled thereto; propelling the harvester through afield to be harvested; harvesting the produce; placing the produce onthe conveyor belt; passing the produce through the washing station;transporting the produce from the washing station to the elevator beltassembly; elevating the produce on the elevator belt assembly;outputting the produce from the elevator belt assembly into a trailer.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a front view of a self-propelled harvester consistentwith the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an end view of the self-propelled harvester of FIG. 1,particularly illustrating the washing station.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art elevator belt.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elevator belt of the harvesterof FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an individual flight component ofthe elevator belt of FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the belt portion of the elevatorbelt of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Referring first to FIG. 1, a self-propelled harvester 10(hereinafter “harvester 10”) consistent with the present invention isshown. The main components of the harvester 10 include a conveyor belt12 (which may be a rubber belt, a PVC belt, or a stainless steel rodassembly as shown for example in FIG. 5), a washing station 14, and anelevator belt assembly 16. The harvester 10 is transported through afield 18 on four wheels 20, with the wheels being capable of turning 90degrees so that the harvester 10 can move either through a field oracross row-ends. (The 90 degree turning of the wheels can be seen bycomparing FIG. 1, which illustrates the desired position for movementthrough a field, and FIG. 2, which illustrates the desired position formovement along row-ends.) It is preferred that each end of the harvester10 be provided with its own drive and steering mechanism.

[0024] Typically, a trailer 19 will be transported alongside theharvester 10 during actual harvesting. This permits produce 22 (see FIG.2) exiting the elevator belt assembly 16 to fall directly into thetrailer 19.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, attention is directed to the washingstation 14 portion of the harvester 10. Initially, it can be seen thatthe conveyor belt 12 transports produce 22 through the washing station14. The washing station 14 itself preferably comprises a housing 24,into which a plurality of spray nozzles 26 are positioned. Thepositioning of the spray nozzles 26 should, preferably, expose theproduce 22 to spray from the side and the top. While it would bepossible to utilize a prior art spray configuration, consisting, forexample, of spraying from the bottom or spraying from the top, theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 is preferred. (Water for the washingstation 14 comes from a water tank 28 positioned thereabove.Alternatively, water could be delivered from a recycle tank (not shown)located directly beneath the water station 14 and conveyor belt 12.)

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, a prior art elevator belt 140 is shown.In the prior art belt 140, a plurality of four inch flights 142 arebolted at approximately 12 inch intervals across a perforated belt 144.The perforations 146 in the belt 144 are for purposes of allowing excesswater from the washing station to pass therethrough. However, thisconfiguration does not permit leaves or other debris to pass through thebelt 140, and also makes the belt 140 more difficult to clean and moreprone to foster the growth of bacteria.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, an embodiment of the elevator beltassembly 16 consistent with the present invention is shown. The elevatorbelt assembly 16 generally comprises side belts 30, preferably formed ofa food grade material, such as SBR rubber with polyethylene andpolyesthylene webbing. Coupled across the side belts 30 are a pluralityof rods 32. At desired intervals (preferably about 12 inches), flights34 are coupled to rods 32. The space of the rods 32, which arepreferably about three and three-eighths inches apart, permits leaves,debris, and a greater volume of excess water to pass through theelevator belt assembly 16, as compared to the prior art belt 140 shownin FIG. 3.

[0028] Referring specifically to FIG. 5, a possible configuration of aflight 34 is shown. In this embodiment, a flatbar 36 is coupled,preferably by welding, to a rod 32. The flight 34 is then molded aroundeach of the flatbar 36 and rod 32. To ease in the cleaning of theelevator belt assembly 16, it is preferred that each of the rod 32,flight 34, and flatbar 36 be composed of stainless steel.

[0029] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

[0030] For example, the spacing of the rods 32 and flights 34 may beadjusted, particularly as desired to accommodate particular produce 22.Further, it may be possible to couple the flight directly to the rod 32,without the need for a flatbar 36. Moreover, it may be possible toutilize the water station 14 as described herein with a harvester 10having a prior art 140, or to utilize a harvester 10 having an elevatorbelt assembly 16 in combination with a prior art water station.

[0031] Still further, it may be desired to substitute chains, perhapscomprised of a stainless steel material, for the side belts 30.

I claim:
 1. A self-propelled harvester comprising, in combination: aconveyor belt transported on a plurality of wheels; a washing stationpositioned over a portion of said conveyor belt; an elevator beltassembly proximate said washing station and adapted to transport producefrom an exit point from said washing station in an upward direction tobe loaded onto a trailer; wherein said elevator belt assembly comprises:two side belts; a plurality of rods extended between said side belts;and a plurality of flights, wherein each said flight is coupled to onesaid rod and wherein the number of said rods is greater than the numberof said flights, so that some said rods do not have any said flightcoupled thereto.
 2. The harvester of claim 1 wherein said washingstation comprises a plurality of spray nozzles oriented to expose saidproduce passing therethrough to downward and sideward projecting spray.3. The harvester of claim 1 wherein each of said side belts is comprisedof a food grade material.
 4. The harvester of claim 3 wherein said foodgrade material is SBR rubber with polyethylene and polyesthylenewebbing.
 5. The harvester of claim 1 wherein said rods are positioned atintervals of approximately three and three-eighths inches.
 6. Theharvester of claim 1, wherein said flights are positioned at intervalsof approximately 12 inches.
 7. The harvester of claim 1 wherein each ofsaid flights and said rods are composed of stainless steel.
 8. Theharvester of claim 1 further comprising a flatbar coupled to said rodand wherein said flight is coupled to said flatbar.
 9. The harvester ofclaim 8 wherein said flatbar is composed of stainless steel.
 10. Aself-propelled harvester comprising, in combination: a conveyor belttransported on a plurality of wheels; a washing station positioned overa portion of said conveyor belt; wherein said washing station comprisesa plurality of spray nozzles oriented to expose said produce passingtherethrough to downward and sideward projecting spray; and an elevatorbelt assembly proximate said washing station and adapted to transportproduce from an exit point from said washing station in an upwarddirection to be loaded onto a trailer.
 11. A method for harvestingcomprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a self-propelledharvester comprising, in combination: a conveyor belt transported on aplurality of wheels; a washing station positioned over a portion of saidconveyor belt; an elevator belt assembly proximate said washing stationand adapted to transport produce from an exit point from said washingstation in an upward direction to be loaded onto a trailer; wherein saidelevator belt assembly comprises: two side belts; a plurality of rodsextended between said side belts; and a plurality of flights, whereineach said flight is coupled to one said rod and wherein the number ofsaid rods is greater than the number of said flights, so that some saidrods do not have any said flight coupled thereto; propelling saidharvester through a field to be harvested; harvesting said produce;placing said produce on said conveyor belt; passing said produce throughsaid washing station; transporting said produce from said washingstation to said elevator belt assembly; elevating said produce on saidelevator belt assembly; outputting said produce from said elevator beltassembly into a trailer.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said washingstation comprises a plurality of spray nozzles oriented to expose saidproduce passing therethrough to downward and sideward projecting spray.13. The method of claim 11 wherein each of said side belts is comprisedof a food grade material.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said foodgrade material is SBR rubber with polyethylene and polyesthylenewebbing.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein said rods are positioned atintervals of approximately three and three-eighths inches.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said flights are positioned at intervals ofapproximately 12 inches.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein each of saidflights and said rods are composed of stainless steel.
 18. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising a flatbar coupled to said rod and whereinsaid flight is coupled to said flatbar.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein said flatbar is composed of stainless steel.